Bristol have confirmed that forwards coach John Brain will leave the club after failing to guide them back into the Guinness Premiership.

In a frank statement to the club's fans, chairman Chris Booy confirmed that Brain would exit the Memorial Ground as they look to minimise the financial impact of another season in the Championship. Last week Exeter Chiefs were confirmed as the latest side to make the top flight of English rugby, having beaten Bristol home and away in the inaugural Championship play-off.

Booy also confirmed that there would be departures among the playing staff, with Luke Eves joining Newcastle and winger Tom Arscott having already been linked in the media with a move to Leicester Tigers.

"Next season we will lose the parachute payment we had this year, and missing out on promotion has punched a £2-2.5m hole in our finances," Booy said. "Bristol - along with the vast majority of professional clubs - lose a significant sum of money, and again I want to thank the small and loyal band of benefactors whose generosity has kept the club afloat.

"In the seven years I have been involved on the board of Bristol, with the last 18 months as
chairman, this group have spent £5m meeting the gap between our income and expenditure. I have always made it clear that we will not jeopardise our future by making commitments we cannot meet, and on Thursday night the board approved a new budget for the forthcoming season, a budget that has been reduced significantly to reflect where we are now."